Airbag device and method for operating an airbag device

ABSTRACT

An airbag device includes an airbag module that is located behind a multipart dashboard. An opening device opens the multipart dashboard in a manner similar to that of the mouth of a fish. An operating method for an airbag device with an airbag module located behind a multipart dashboard includes opening the dashboard in a manner similar to that of the mouth of a fish before, during, or after the triggering of the airbag device. According to another embodiment, a dashboard includes at least one fabric flap or foil flap which is integrated into the dashboard on at least one side by using detachable retaining devices in order to close an opening in the dashboard. The airbag module is positioned behind the opening in such a way that an airbag opens the retaining devices when it is triggered and emerges through the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of copending InternationalApplication No. PCT/DE01/01594, filed Apr. 27, 2001, which designatedthe United States and was not published in English.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention:

[0003] The invention relates in general to airbag devices and to methodsfor operating airbag devices. The invention relates in particular to anairbag device having an airbag module, a cover, and an opening mechanismfor the latter. The cover is opened before an airbag of the airbagmodule emerges toward an occupant of a vehicle.

[0004] Conventional airbag devices and triggering methods for airbagdevices are disclosed in Published, Non-Prosecuted German PatentApplication Nos. DE 197 26 878 A1 and DE 197 33 896 A1, European PatentApplication No. EP 0 867 346 A1, and International Publication No. WO99/61288 by the applicant and/or assignee of the instant application.The present invention relates to improvements in all of the embodimentsand techniques dealt with in the earlier applications, in particularwith regard to the construction of the airbag device and the triggeringcontrol and, especially, to a configuration for controlling an airbagflap.

[0005] Conventional airbags use so much energy for opening the airbagflaps such that, when these airbags emerge, they may have an undesirable“aggressiveness” toward passengers who are not buckled up or passengerswho have their head on or close to the airbag exit point. In order tosolve this problem, the above-mentioned patent applications providemechanisms and methods which are used prior to the emergence of anairbag, which is accommodated together with its airbag module behind atrim panel of a vehicle, such that this trim panel or cover is activelyopened. The airbag itself thus no longer has to produce the opening inthe trim panel or cover and also does not need to provide the requiredenergy by initially providing an appropriately high gas pressure in theairbag so that it can push open the cover. Rather, the airbag can unfoldfreely through the opening which is already present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an airbagdevice and a method for operating an airbag device, especially fortwo-part covers or multipart dashboards of an airbag device, whichovercome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-knownairbag devices and methods for operating airbag devices of this generaltype and which provide an outlet opening for the airbag in a rapid andsimple manner, in order to reduce an undesirable aggressiveness of theairbag when being triggering.

[0007] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided,in accordance with the invention, an airbag device, including:

[0008] a multipart dashboard;

[0009] an airbag module disposed behind the multipart dashboard; and

[0010] an opening device operatively connected to the multipartdashboard, the opening device being configured to open the multipartdashboard substantially when the airbag module is triggered, and themultipart dashboard being configured to open in a manner of a fish'smouth.

[0011] In particular, the present invention can be used as a supplementto the various devices and methods described in the patent applicationsmentioned above, and can furthermore contribute to reducing theaggressiveness of the airbag by producing an opening for the emergenceof an airbag in a dashboard in a non-hazardous manner.

[0012] The invention relates in particular to mechanisms orconfigurations and their operating methods which, especially in the caseof multipart dashboards, bend up their upper part and/or their lowerpart in such a manner that an opening in the manner of a fish's mouth isproduced. To this end, use is made of a special airbag module mechanismor airbag device mechanism and a corresponding method for opening atwo-part dashboard before emergence of an airbag.

[0013] According to the invention, this “bending open” is undertakenpreferably not by the airbag, but by a mechanism which receives itspyrotechnic driving energy from a generator.

[0014] The generator may be an additional generator which drives apiston in a cylinder. Cables, levers or straps may be attached to thepiston and actuate a mechanism which opens an appropriately divideddashboard in the manner of a fish's mouth.

[0015] The airbag generator for producing gas for inflating the airbagpreferably also provides the energy for opening the dashboard. Inparticular, for driving purposes a cup-like container or piston isfitted over the generator and is supplied with gas pressure by thelatter after triggering has taken place, with the result that thecontainer or piston moves linearly or in a screw-like manner. Cables,levers or straps connected to the container or piston preferably openthe “fish's mouth” before the piston releases a gas flow into theairbag.

[0016] According to one aspect, the invention provides an airbag devicehaving an airbag module behind a multipart dashboard, an opening deviceor opening devices being provided in order to open the dashboard in themanner of a fish's mouth before, during or after triggering of theairbag device. In the process, the multipart nature of the dashboard isused in an advantageous manner in order to provide a simple, rapid andreliable manner of opening an outlet opening for an airbag without theairbag itself having to provide the force in order to open the openingand, as a result, penetrating with a corresponding momentum forwardtoward an occupant.

[0017] The dashboard preferably contains at least one dashboard upperpart or a dashboard lower part, and the opening devices contain a pistonwhich can be acted upon and adjusted at least with the dashboard upperpart or the dashboard lower part in order to open the part. The pistonmay furthermore be guided on a cylinder-like airbag module, the pistonpreferably being guided on the airbag module in a manner resulting in ascrew-like linear and rotational movement, i.e. the piston performs asubstantially helical movement. As an alternative or in addition, thepiston can be connected to at least one dashboard upper part or adashboard lower part through the use of pulling devices, in particularcables, and/or a mechanism.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the dashboardincludes at least one dashboard upper part and/or a dashboard lowerpart, which part/parts can be adjusted and/or deformed through the useof the opening device or opening devices in order to form an opening forthe emergence of an airbag.

[0019] With the objects of the invention in view there is also provided,an airbag device, including:

[0020] a dashboard having an opening formed therein, the dashboardincluding an airbag flap for covering the opening in the dashboard, theairbag flap being selected from the group consisting of a fabric flapand a foil flap;

[0021] releasable retaining devices for closing the opening in thedashboard, the airbag flap being integrated, at least at one sidethereof, in the dashboard via the releasable retaining devices; and

[0022] an airbag module including an airbag, the airbag module beingdisposed behind the opening in the dashboard such that, when the airbagmodule is triggered, the airbag opens the releasable retaining devicesand the airbag emerges through the opening in the dashboard.

[0023] In other words, in the case of an airbag device having an airbagmodule behind a dashboard, provision is made according to a secondaspect of the present invention for the dashboard to contain at leastone fabric-like or foil-like airbag flap which is integrated in thedashboard at least on one side through the use of releasable retainingdevices in order to close an opening in the dashboard, and for theairbag module to be disposed behind the opening in such a manner that anairbag of the airbag module, after being triggered, opens the retainingdevices and emerges through the opening.

[0024] According to another feature of the invention, the releasableretaining devices for closing an opening in the dashboard aretouch-and-close tape devices such as VELCRO fasteners.

[0025] With the objects of the invention in view there is also provided,a method for operating an airbag device, the method includes the stepsof:

[0026] providing an airbag module behind a multipart dashboard;

[0027] triggering the airbag module; opening the multipart dashboard ina manner of a fish's mouth prior to, during or after the triggering theairbag module.

[0028] In other words, in the case of an operating method for an airbagdevice having an airbag module behind a multipart dashboard inaccordance with one aspect of the invention, the dashboard can be openedin the manner of a fish's mouth before, during or after triggering theairbag device.

[0029] According to another mode of the invention, at least onedashboard upper part and/or a dashboard lower part is adjusted and/ordeformed in order to provide an opening in the dashboard for theemergence of an airbag. As an alternative or in addition, provision maybe made for the opening of the dashboard to be brought about by apiston, the piston preferably being operated by a gas generator of theairbag module, and this gas generator furthermore preferably also beingused for producing the gas for filling the airbag. The latter mode ofthe invention can be refined even further by the filling of the airbagwith gas from the gas generator of the airbag module being controlled bythe position of the piston.

[0030] Furthermore, it is possible and advantageous in the case of theabove-mentioned variants of the operating method, if the piston executesa screw-like linear and rotational movement for producing the opening inthe dashboard and is coupled to the dashboard via pulling devices, inparticular cables.

[0031] With the objects of the invention in view there is also provided,a method for operating an airbag device, the method includes the stepsof:

[0032] providing a dashboard with an airbag flap such as a fabric flapor a foil flap;

[0033] providing the airbag flap with releasable retaining devices forclosing an opening in the dashboard; and

[0034] opening the releasable retaining devices at least on one side ofthe airbag flap by filling gas into an airbag such that the airbagpushes through the opening in the dashboard.

[0035] In other words, according to the second aspect of the presentinvention, an operating method for an airbag device having an airbagmodule behind a dashboard is provided in such a manner that retainingdevices, which can be released at least on one side, of a fabric-like orfoil-like airbag flap for closing an opening in the dashboard are openedby an airbag pushing through the opening as it is being filled with gas.Provision may furthermore be made in addition for the retaining devices,which can be released at least on one side, to be touch-and-close tapedevices.

[0036] Other features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0037] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein asembodied in airbag devices and operating methods for airbag devices, itis nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and within the scope andrange of equivalents of the claims.

[0038] The construction and method of operation of the invention,however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will bebest understood from the following description of specific embodimentswhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, partial sectional view of a firstexemplary embodiment of an airbag device according to the invention;

[0040]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, partial sectional view of a secondexemplary embodiment of an airbag device according to the invention; and

[0041]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic, partial sectional view of a thirdexemplary embodiment of an airbag device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] The same reference numbers in the individual figures of thedrawings denote identical or similar components or identically orsimilarly acting components. The illustrations in the drawings clarifyeven those features which are not provided with reference numeralsirrespective of whether these features are described below. On the otherhand, features which are explained in the description of the preferredembodiments, but are not illustrated in the drawings, are also readilycomprehensible to a person of skill in the art. The disclosure of theabove-mentioned applications, in particular with regard to theconstruction of the airbag device and the triggering control and,especially, with regard to a configuration for controlling an airbagflap, is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0043] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first,particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a section through anairbag device A having an airbag module 1 which is arranged in amultipart dashboard 2. In this case, a piston 3 is shown which, aftertriggering of the airbag module 1, moves in a screw-like, i.e. helical,manner axially along the cylindrical airbag module 1. The piston 3 ispositioned in a cup-like manner over the cylindrical airbag module 1 andcables or in more general terms pulling devices 4 are connected to thepiston 3. When the airbag module 1 is triggered, gas, which ispreferably supplied from a pyrotechnic gas generator of the airbagmodule 1, is initially conducted into the piston 3, with the result thatgas pressure acts on the piston 3. The piston 3 then moves by rotatinglike a screw linearly along the cylindrical airbag module 1. In theprocess, on the one hand, the cables 4 are wound onto the piston 3 and,on the other hand, the cables are deflected or routed in such a mannerthat the cables pivot the airbag module 1, and therefore push up adashboard upper part 5 of the multipart dashboard 2 in such a mannerthat an airbag opening 6 is formed, which is straight at the bottom and“curved” at the top. The final position of the airbag module 1 is shownby dot-dash lines.

[0044] In this exemplary embodiment, the airbag module 1 together withthe piston 3 and the cables 4 form opening devices B.

[0045] The gas generator for driving the piston 3 may be the gasgenerator which produces the gas for inflating the airbag or may be aseparate gas generator. Other driving devices may also be used foractuating the piston 3. Furthermore, the invention is not restricted toguiding the piston in a screw-like manner in order to produce awinding-up of the cables 4. The piston 3 may also only be guidedlinearly, in which case correspondingly suitable devices are then to beused to transmit the force and movement to at least one part of themultipart dashboard 2, in order to be able to provide the opening 6.

[0046]FIG. 2 shows an alternative of a non-aggressive airbag 7 of anairbag module 1, which airbag is indicated only in a schematic manner inits folded up state. In the case of this exemplary embodiment, an airbagflap 8 is produced as part of the multipart dashboard 2 from a fabriccover which tears open at least on one side without requiring greatforce and is fastened, for example, only by a touch-and-close tapedevice, for example a VELCRO tape, or in general by retaining devices 9.The airbag module 10 then does not need any mechanism for this purpose.

[0047]FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of an airbag device A.This airbag device A is basically constructed in the same manner as theairbag device shown in FIG. 1 and described in conjunction therewith.Therefore, in the following text, features and functions will only bedescribed insofar as they go beyond the details relating to FIG. 1, andreference will be made in this respect to the illustration of FIG. 1 andto the description of FIG. 1 in order to avoid repetitions. The airbagdevice A according to FIG. 3 contains a mechanism or, in particular, alever mechanism 11 which, when the cables 4 are activated via, forexample, a piston 3, pushes the dashboard upper part 5 and a dashboardlower part 12 apart in such a manner that an airbag opening 6 in themanner of a “fish's mouth” is produced. For this purpose, apart frombeing connected at one end to the piston 3, the cables 4 are connectedat the other end to the lever mechanism 11. This lever mechanism 11 isconfigured in a scissor-type manner and, when pulled by the cables 4,produces an expanding effect between the dashboard upper part 5 and thedashboard lower part 12, so that the opening 6 is produced.

[0048] It is also possible, for example in the case of the exemplaryembodiment according to FIG. 1, to bring about the adjustment of theairbag module by using other mechanisms for bending up at least one partof the multipart dashboard or putting it in a more upright position, orgenerally open at least one part of the multipart dashboard. Forexample, the adjustment can be carried out with a separate adjustingcylinder which in particular is acted upon pyrotechnically. One or morecylinders of this type may, however, also be used to directly adjust orpush up or bend up at least one part of the multipart dashboard. If,which is particularly advantageous, the gas generator, which is presentin any case for inflating the airbag, is used for the drive for openingat least one part of the multipart dashboard, it can be used to operatea piston which is used for adjusting or pushing up or bending up the atleast one part of the multipart dashboard. For this purpose, the pistoncan act on the at least one part of the multipart dashboard directly orvia any suitable mechanism and/or by deflecting the direction ofmovement. At the same time, the piston may, when it is on its actuatingpath, for example after covering a predetermined adjustment distance,release lines via which gas is conducted from the gas generator into theairbag.

[0049] Furthermore, the present invention is not restricted to theairbag device being combined with a dashboard or containing a dashboard.Rather, instead of the dashboard any other cover or trim panel can beused. According to the invention, the only essential thing is generatinga suitable opening in the cover or trim panel through which opening theairbag can emerge without the airbag itself having to apply the forcefor opening the opening, or only a very small force having to be appliedby the airbag in order to open the opening, such as, for example, in thecase of the airbag flap in the form of a fabric or foil cover of theopening having a touch-and-close securing device.

[0050] Exemplary operating methods for the individual exemplaryembodiments of the airbag device A emerge from the description of FIGS.1 to 3.

[0051] In summary, the invention in particular provides a mechanismwhich is driven by pyrotechnics and which opens a part of a multipartdashboard and thereby forming an airbag outlet opening in the manner ofa fish's mouth, without direct assistance of an airbag. According to onealternative, the cover is made from textile or a foil-like material orthe like, which is also fastened in such a manner that it is easy toopen. The various embodiments of the invention provide possibilities forreducing the aggressiveness of the airbag.

[0052] The features and combinations of features of the exemplaryembodiments described above and in the drawings serve merely to clarifythe invention by way of example and not to restrict it. The disclosureof the present document is determined by what a person of skill in theart can readily gather from the claims, the description, the drawingsand the entire contents of Published, Non-Prosecuted German PatentApplication No. DE 198 44 412 A1, International Publication No. WO99/58389, and the above-mentioned applications. In particular, theinvention furthermore includes all of the variations, combinations,modifications and substitutions which can be gathered by a skilledperson from the entire disclosure of the present application. Inparticular, all of the individual features and possible refinements ofthe invention and its exemplary embodiments can be combined.

I claim:
 1. An airbag device, comprising: a multipart dashboard; anairbag module disposed behind said multipart dashboard; and an openingdevice operatively connected to said multipart dashboard, said openingdevice being configured to open said multipart dashboard substantiallywhen said airbag module is triggered, and said multipart dashboard beingconfigured to open in a manner of a fish's mouth.
 2. The airbag deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said multipart dashboard includes adashboard part selected from the group consisting of a dashboard upperpart and a dashboard lower part; and said opening device includes apiston configured to be acted upon and adjusted for opening saiddashboard part.
 3. The airbag device according to claim 2, wherein: saidairbag module is a substantially cylindrical airbag module; and saidpiston is guided on said substantially cylindrical airbag module.
 4. Theairbag device according to claim 3, wherein said piston is guided onsaid substantially cylindrical airbag module such that said pistonperforms a helicoidal linear and rotational movement.
 5. The airbagdevice according to claim 2, wherein: said opening device includes atleast one mechanism selected from the group consisting of a pullingmechanism and a lever mechanism; and said piston is connected to saiddashboard part via said at least one mechanism.
 6. The airbag deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein said pulling mechanism includes a cable.7. The airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: said multipartdashboard includes at least one dashboard part selected from the groupconsisting of a dashboard upper part and a dashboard lower part; andsaid opening device is configured to adjust said at least one dashboardpart in order to form an airbag emergence opening.
 8. The airbag deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said opening device is configured to opensaid multipart dashboard at a point in time selected from the groupconsisting of a time prior to a triggering of said airbag module, duringthe triggering of said airbag module, and after the triggering of saidairbag module.
 9. An airbag device, comprising: a dashboard having anopening formed therein, said dashboard including an airbag flap forcovering said opening in said dashboard, said airbag flap being selectedfrom the group consisting of a fabric flap and a foil flap; releasableretaining devices for closing said opening in said dashboard, saidairbag flap being integrated, at least at one side thereof, in saiddashboard via said releasable retaining devices; and an airbag moduleincluding an airbag, said airbag module being disposed behind saidopening in said dashboard such that, when said airbag module istriggered, said airbag opens said releasable retaining devices and saidairbag emerges through said opening in said dashboard.
 10. The airbagdevice according to claim 9, wherein said releasable retaining devicesfor closing said opening in said dashboard are touch-and-close tapedevices.
 11. A method for operating an airbag device, the method whichcomprises: providing an airbag module behind a multipart dashboard;triggering the airbag module; opening the multipart dashboard in amanner of a fish's mouth at a point in time selected from the groupconsisting of a time prior to the triggering the airbag module, duringthe triggering of the airbag module, and after the triggering of theairbag module.
 12. The method according to claim 11, which comprisesadjusting at least one of a dashboard upper part and a dashboard lowerpart of the multipart dashboard for providing an airbag emergenceopening.
 13. The method according to claim 11, which comprises deformingat least one of a dashboard upper part and a dashboard lower part of themultipart dashboard for providing an airbag emergence opening.
 14. Themethod according to claim 11, which comprises using a piston for openingthe multipart dashboard.
 15. The method according to claim 14, whichcomprises using a gas generator of the airbag module for operating thepiston.
 16. The method according to claim 14, which comprises using agas generator of the airbag module for operating the piston and usingthe gas generator for producing gas for filling an airbag.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16, which comprises controlling, with aposition of the piston, the filling of the airbag with gas from the gasgenerator of the airbag module.
 18. The method according to claim 14,which comprises: connecting the piston to the multipart dashboard via apulling device; and opening the multipart dashboard by performing ahelicoidal linear and rotational movement with the piston.
 19. Themethod according to claim 18, which comprises using a cable as thepulling device.
 20. A method for operating an airbag device, the methodwhich comprises: providing a dashboard with an airbag flap selected fromthe group consisting of a fabric flap and a foil flap; providing theairbag flap with releasable retaining devices for closing an opening inthe dashboard; and opening the releasable retaining devices at least onone side of the airbag flap by filling gas into an airbag such that theairbag pushes through the opening in the dashboard.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 20, which comprises using touch-and-close tapedevices as the retaining devices.